VIDEO: Volkswagen wants you to have fun... taking the stairs
Volkswagen produces passenger cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs, but the German automaker also feels it has a civic responsibility to get our plumping society into shape. Proof of concept is this initiative by VW and ad agency DBB called The Fun Theory, designed to get people in Stockholm, Sweden to take the stairs instead of the escalator.
VW didn't send out a lame piece of PR extolling the virtues of exercise to get some hearts pumping harder. Instead, the automaker turned an ordinary set of subway stairs into a mega-sized piano. When passers-by step on the stairs, each key makes the appropriate piano sound. Make the jump to see the results.
VW says 66% more people used the stairs after music came on the scene, and judging from the video, it looks like they were having fun doing it, too. We still prefer the music made when pushing a well tuned 2.0-liter turbo to its limits, but if jumping on giant pianos is good enough for Tom Hanks, it's good enough for us, too.
[Source: YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Talisman 7:40PM (10/08/2009)
Thats awesome. We spend so much time arguing and hating stuff in this country. I love to see when the simple things make people happy(and more fit!). :)
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Kathy 11:02PM (10/09/2009)
AWESOME!!!!
I LOVE IT!!!!
I'd spend the afternoon doing this!!!!!
Master Shake 4:05AM (10/10/2009)
This is in SWEDEN - not the US. The first person to fall down the stairs in the US would sue Volkswagon and the building owners for creating this public hazard. So enjoy your "freedom", Americans. LOL
MELBA ANN WILLIAMS 11:32AM (10/10/2009)
We are finally getting somewhere on HealthCare Reform---this is a novel idea and should go into law. No more begging people to take stairs for thier health~~make it a fun thing and they will be waiting in line to emulate Tom Hanks.
naturalyshocked 10:19AM (10/15/2009)
hahaha, cool idea.
i use strairs mosly, i'm big and can skip every second step.
@Master Shake
your totaly right, USA needs a mayor overhaul on every front.
it's outrageous that your neighbor can sue you for wearing your socks inside out.
just like the patent trols in texas.
in some sh*thole outthere you can be fined if your underwear is visible.
'contains hot liquid', anyone?
it's not communist country, but it aint in no way a free country, the image they like to spread.
the jury system doesn't work, they just appy max penalty after hearing the typical victims lawyer theatrals version, they don't care.
i'm glad they finaly choose a real good man as president, someone with hearth.
to many Ned Flanders.
i'm a patriot, like probally everyone else, but in no way i would have an arsenal of flags in my house, in faqt i have exactly none.
Paul 7:44PM (10/08/2009)
they should definitely make more of these, especially in the us, theres no outdoor artwork or anything like in europe! maybe less obese americans now..?
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nrb 1:53AM (10/09/2009)
"they should definitely make more of these"
It sounds like a neat idea, but in reality it's terrible.
We've had something similar in a city near me for several years. The sound produced by dozens of people going up and down the stairs at once is far from musical. Quite possibly the most annoying sound you will ever hear.
matt234 10:42AM (10/09/2009)
@nrb: then that's a failure of the system's design. How about overriding the cacophony with some music if there are too many inputs at once?
CDN Crockett 7:46PM (10/08/2009)
That's flippin' great! And did you see how dirty they got?
Also I really like that part where people used them... ;)
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Edsel 7:55PM (10/08/2009)
Bring that brilliant musical contrivance to the sidewalk!
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Smegley 8:05PM (10/08/2009)
This is cool, and you gotta smile seeing it.
One thing I don't understand is moving sidewalks (except for handicapped). You go to an airport and people are riding moving sidewalks. Yes, the distances are long, but you either are going to sit in or have been sitting in a plane for a loooong time, so use your damned legs, people, and enjoy the walk.
Another good one are the people who take the elevator to go one or two floors. Hell, I take the stairs for anything at least 8 floors, and often many many more. It makes you feel good.
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flfny 1:19AM (10/09/2009)
well I can tell you every time I'm in an airport and use the moving sidewalks it's not to stand still. I continue to walk. It's walking with the speed of running and if you are late/in a hurry you do get to the gate faster.
You don't need to be lazy to take moving sidewalks.
Back on the subject of the post, this is awesome but I don't think it would be much of a motivator if they are everywhere. They'll become more of a nuisance than something fun.
Darrell Mayeda 4:03AM (10/10/2009)
not everyone can handle 8 flights of stairs I can't. Some people who wouldn't qualify as handicaped but can't move long distances. Some elderly people using walkers move soooo slowly it isn't funny The person with a leg injury, the cardiac patient that can't walk long distances. They may not qualify as handicapped but the can't walk long distances either.
catchmyshadow 8:45PM (10/08/2009)
agree, really great experiment.
life can be so much nicer with little changes.
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nirad 9:18PM (10/08/2009)
I think you're missing the bigger story here: In Stockholm, YOU CAN TAKE YOUR DOG ON THE SUBWAY!!!
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Rose 1:31AM (10/10/2009)
LOL -- your comment was cute and gave me a laugh that I needed tonight. Thought the same thing when I saw the dog. Thank you.
Sam 10:03PM (10/10/2009)
LOL, in NYC you can take your dog to the subway too =]
samsam5886 10:46PM (10/08/2009)
Some people who still chose the escalator must be really lazy! haha
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Jrejre 12:39AM (10/09/2009)
All the people who took the escalator were toyota execs.
Kumar 8:00AM (10/09/2009)
I'm not sure how it is in Sweden, but in Germany people walk up the escalators. Back in the states, it *seems* like an American past time to step on the escalator and stop, taking up the width of it so no can walk up past you.